Wealdstone 1 – 2 Boreham Wood
Saturday 8th October 2022
Grosvenor Vale, Vanarama National League
WOOD’S AWAY RUN CONTINUES
In a hard-fought encounter, Boreham Wood came away from Grosvenor Vale with all three points and now sit in third place in the Vanarama National League table. Second half goals from Josh Rees and Tyrone Marsh put Wood 2-0 up but a Simeon Akinola goal for the hosts, set up a nervy finish but Boreham Wood just about hung on for victory
Luke Garrard made two changes from Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat against Bromley with Conor Stevens replacing the injured David Stephens at the back and Tyrone Marsh coming in for Lee Ndlovu up front.
First Half
In a quiet first half, it was the hosts who threatened first when Nathan Ferguson struck a dipping volley just wide of Nathan Ashmore’s goal after two minutes. Six minutes later, following an intricate move involved Dennon Lewis and Tyrone Marsh, Lewis struck his shot into the side netting. Zak Brunt had a shot block soon afterwards. On seventeen minutes, Lewis crossed the ball to Marsh whose header was off target. At this point Wealdstone were enjoying a lot of possession without really worrying the Boreham Wood defence
On twenty-nine minutes, Connor Stevens went down with a worrying looking injury and for the second season running, had to leave the field at Grosvenor Vale for Boreham Wood in a league game. Wood turned the screw and almost immediately, Femi Ilesanmi forced an excellent save from Sam Howes in the Stone goal. Just before the break, a deflected George Williams shot fell into the path of Josh Rees, but he somehow missed the target.
Second Half
Boreham Wood took the lead on fifty-four minutes when, following an excellent run from Danny Newton, he picked out Josh Rees who finished comfortably past Howes in the Stones goal. Four minutes later, Wealdstone striker Reece Browne was though one on one with Ashmore and although, he dinked the ball past the Wood keeper, he was denied by a fantastic goal line clearance from George Williams. On sixty-one minutes, Boreham Wood doubled their lead. Marsh was fouled in the area when through on goal, giving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Marsh then stepped up to take it and was initially denied by Howes but was there to slot home the rebound.
Following the goal, Wealdstone dominated the final half an hour. Almost immediately, Stones forward Olufela Olomola struck the post from distance with Ashmore beaten. On seventy-nine minutes former Boreham Wood striker, Simeon Akinola, making his Stones debut off the bench was able to half Boreham Wood’s lead when he finished well from close range. This set up a nervy last period of the game for Boreham Wood. Akinola went close to equalising on eighty-six minutes but headed wide. The hosts forced a succession of corners, but a well marshalled Boreham Wood defence kept them at bay.
It was an excellent three points for Luke Garrard’s men as they continue their terrific away form this season. Wealdstone were always threatening and may feel unlucky not to have come away with a point, The injury to Connor Stevens looked worrying and adds to a long list of injury to the Boreham Wood squad. These two sides will have to do it all again next Saturday at LV BET Stadium Meadow Park in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Rees, Lewis, Ilesamni, Stevens (Williams 31), Evans, Broadbent, Payne, Brunt (Andrade 73), Marsh, Newton, (Elliot 89).
Subs not used: Ricketts, Ndlovu.
Wealdstone: Howes, Elerwe, Barrett, Allarakhia (Akinola 71), Ferguson, Olomola, Browne, Sesay (Obiero 76), Hutchinson, Dyer (McGregor 66), Habergham.
Subs not used: Kinsella, Mundle-Smith.
Man of the Match: Femi Ilesamni.
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